Spiritual Retirement Is Not An Option

 

A registered nurse moved to a new community and decided to search for a job. She doubted she’d have a problem since nurses were always in demand. She emailed a letter to several potential employers with her resumé attached. Several weeks later she was surprised that she had not received a single response. Finally, she received a message that explained the lack of interest in he emails. The response read, “Your resumé was not attached as stated, but thank you for the chicken taco recipe you did attach. It’s delicious!”

Two well-to-do Christians, a lawyer and a merchant, joined a group that was traveling around the world. One day in Korea, they passed a field by the side of the road, and in the field a boy pulled a crude plow while an old man held the plow handles directing it through the rice paddy. The lawyer was amused and took a snapshot of the scene. “That’s a curious sight,” he said to the missionary / interpreter guide. “Yes,” was the reply. “That is the family of Chi Noui. When the church building was constructed, they were eager to give something, but they had no money. So, they sold the only ox they had and gave the money to the church. This spring they are pulling the plow themselves.” The lawyer and businessman were silent for several minutes. The businessman said, “That must have been a real sacrifice.” “They did not call it that,” said the missionary. “They thought it was fortunate they had the ox to sell.” The two tourists had not much to say, but when they reached home, the lawyer took the picture to his preacher and told him of the incident. “I want to double my offering to the church,” he said. “And give me some ‘plow work’ to do. I have never seen or known what sacrifice for the Lord really means. I am ashamed to say that I have never given anything to Him that really cost me anything.” (A true story!)

[2 Corinthians 5:8] Most of us look forward to the day of our retirement from our jobs because it will mean that we have more time for things we have always wanted to do. It will give us more time to relax, enjoy life, and experience a true change of pace. One would think that to be true, but most retired people, including myself, are just as busy, if not more so, after they retire. However, it’s a different kind of busy – a busy with less pressure and stress. A mistake that some people make is that they view their retirement to also be a sort of spiritual retirement. Not that they stop going to worship, but they cut back on their involvement in church activities at a time when it would be quite easy to increase it. We talk about young people being the future of the church. If we don’t maintain the purity of today’s church, what will be the condition of the future church? True mature believers must stay involved in the conduct of the church for it to maintain its purity while young people are growing in the faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The apostle Paul looked forward to a spiritual retirement, but he didn’t view it as something that would occur in this life. (Philippians 1:19-26) “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that you rejoicing for me will be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.” Retirement is not an option in the Lord’s work, period!

I Wonder

  

I wonder why people who punish a child for lying will tell the same child, “Just say I’m not home.” I wonder why people can disregard thoughtless things that are said at work, by friends, or in a store, but not if the same things are said by someone at church. I wonder why so many feel free to skip attending worship for things they wouldn’t dream of skipping work to do. I wonder why it’s a compliment when a man is sensitive, but an insult to say he’s emotional. I wonder why people who wouldn’t dream of stealing money from the collection plate think nothing of skipping their contributions toward work for the Lord. Or why do people who expect the church to always be there for them when they are in need, give their money to other organizations instead? Odd, don’t you think? I wonder why those who work the hardest in the church, give the most consistently in serving the needs of others, are the ones who appreciate the church the most – but those who don’t and give the least, find the most fault. I wonder why parents who wouldn’t dream of letting their children decide for themselves whether or not to attend school, go to the dentist or wear decent clothes, think it is proper for them to decide for themselves whether to attend Bible school, church, and youth activities. I wonder why other people’s sins are always so much worse than our own. I wonder why other people’s children are so bad, but our own are so cute when doing the same things. Or why is it the fault of other children’s parents when the children do wrong, but our own do wrong in spite of having taught them better. I wonder why people who say, “I can quit any time I want to,” can’t. Or why do people keep themselves enslaved to a habit in order to prove their independence. I wonder why people who stand before God and vow, “Till death do us part,” later decide that means, “till the going gets tough” or “till I find someone I like better.” I wonder why people apologize to the preacher when he hears them use the Lord’s name in vain. Doesn’t it seem they should be apologizing to God? I wonder how long after death it takes for the atheist to discover they were wrong. I wonder how long it takes for those who decided to “end it all” discover they actually just started it all? I wonder why the fertilized egg of a sea tortoise is deserving of all the protection of law given to an adult sea tortoise, but the fertilized egg of a human, or a live baby unborn has no such rights. I wonder how much time we’d have for things we need to do, ought to do, if entertainment media disappeared. I just wonder about a lot of things, don’t you? I wonder if God doesn’t wonder a lot about us too. I wonder if He’s amused, or if He just sadly shakes His divine head in disgust. I wonder - does God cry?

[Psalm 34:11-16] We all face important decisions. These decisions will often have a great impact on us and our families. It may be a question of what job to take, or where to live, or what school to attend, etc. What should we do? Does God offer any help or guidance in making such decisions? The answer is “yes”! How does God give us guidance? Through the Word. The vast majority of answers are found here. They are positive commands that tell us what we should do. Matthew 28:19 instructs us to teach the gospel to others. One doesn’t have to wonder if God wants us to speak to your neighbor about salvation. There are also negative commands to tell us what to avoid. (Ephesians 4:25-32) God’s Word guides us in righteous living and provides us guidance as to what pleases God. Christians are to be consistent in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). God promises to answer our prayers (1 Peter 3:12). If you don’t believe this will work, then don’t bother to ask of God (James 1:6-8). Through the counsel of others. (Hebrews 3:12-15, Galatians 6:1-5) Others can help in our decision making but remember each one of us must answer for ourselves one day.

Expensive Loyalty

 

The late great comedian Jerry Clower was the size of a professional football player. He once told that his son was the field goal kicker for his high school football team. One day his son had the chance to kick the goal that would give his team the lead and maybe the win, but the kick went wide of the goal. Four rows from where Clower sat, a man jumped up and began heckling and booing loudly. “Who is that kicker? He couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with a football!” On and on he went, ridiculing Clower’s son. Clower said, “I took all of it I could, and then I made my way through the crowd, sat down next to that guy, looked him straight in the eye, and said, ‘You need to thank Jesus that you’re still alive.’” The guy said, “What do you mean?” Clower answered, “That’s my son you’re ridiculing, and the only reason you’re not dead right now is because I’m a Christian and Jesus won’t let me kill you.”

Clower’s funny words remind me of a serious truth. As lord, Jesus has the authority to tell us how to live our life. How much authority do you allow Jesus to have over you? E.W. Blandley’s hymn has challenged millions of people to think about the depth of their commitment to Christ. “Where He leads me I will follow (repeat two more times), I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way” (the chorus to “Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow”). Even in this day of user-friendly religion and crossless Christianity, those who read the Bible can still hear Jesus saying, “Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.” Get real – do you allow Jesus to have the final word, even when what you want to believe or how you want to behave is very different from what He demands?

An epitaph on the tombstone of an old English soldier who lost his life in battle spoke volumes: “He served King Charles with a constant, dangerous and expensive loyalty.” That soldier was sold out to his king – prepared to pay any price up to and including his very life to honor and obey his king. Myriads have displayed that kind of dangerous and expensive commitment out of love and respect for earthly, human kings and causes. At this very hour tens of thousands of Americans are scattered around the globe, many of them in harm’s way, because of an expensive commitment to our nation and way of life.

[Matthew 3:13-17] Jesus preached what He practiced. He served the father with a constant, dangerous, and expensive loyalty. In the end, of course, His loyalty led to death on a cross. But Matthew reminds us of the commitment that carried him to and held Him on the cross was there in the very beginning of His public ministry.

Jesus’ loyalty to God’s willed Him to submit to baptism at the hands of John the Baptizer – “a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Luke 3:3). John was clearly conflicted about baptizing the sinless Son of God (Matthew 3:14), but Jesus insisted saying, “…for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (v.15). The result of Jesus’ commitment to go all the way in doing God’s will is seen in verse 17 as He raised up out of the water after John baptized Him. “Suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”

From baptism by John to death on a cross, Jesus didn’t balk at anything God asked and/or directed Him to do. How about you? Jus how expensive is your loyalty to Jesus? Have you followed Him in baptism and the new life of obedience that follows it (Romans 6:1-4)? “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Faith and obedience throughout our life will bring about the goal of eternal life.

Extremes Are Harmful

 

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. As they lay down for the night, Holmes said, “Watson, look up and tell me what you see.” Watson replied, “I see millions, and millions, and millions of stars.” Holmes asked, “And what does that tell you?” Watson reasoned, “Astronomically, it tells me that God is great and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it tells me that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you Holmes?” Holmes answered simply, “Someone stole our tent.”

Talk about going to extremes! A man in Maine took a Sawzall and cut his neighbor’s garage in half. Since part of the structure was on his property, Gabriel Brawn had a legal right to do it. The overlapping garage hadn’t been a problem for years, as his relationship with the previous neighbor was amiable. After the neighbor died, and the new residents moved in, the conflicts began over a boundary dispute, and the animosity between the two parties escalated. A frustrated Brawn decided to bring the conflict to an end by bringing out surveyors, who concluded that part of the garage was, in fact, on his property. The neighbors had—quite literally—crossed the line. The garage was cut in half, and a privacy fence went up, equipped with surveillance cameras. While extreme, Brawn’s solution seems to have been decisive, as there has been no communication between the neighbors since the severing (Bangor Daily News, July 18, 2020).

In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul describes the church as the “household of God.” And while disagreements have, and will, occur between Christians, severing relationships is not the way to resolve issues. That would be destructive to the household. Jesus made the statement in Matthew 12:25 that “a house divided against itself will not stand.”

Too many times, friendships between disagreeing Christians are severed, broken in half, and seemingly destroyed because of the hurt feelings that go along with the perception of being offended. When turmoil arises between brethren, there is trouble in God’s household.

Here are a few things to consider before decisively (and divisively) taking extreme measures to end those relationships: * Reach out. Romans 12:18 tells the Christian that it is his responsibility to “live peaceably with all.” * Reconcile. Both parties need to make effort in order to bring each other back together. It’s vitally important to remember that the body of Christ is mutilated when its members (1 Corinthians 12:12) aren’t willing to make the effort to forgive each other (Ephesians 4:32). * Repair. In Colossians 3:13, Christians are called to remember that the Lord’s forgiveness serves as an example to model after, in order to bear with each other and forgive each other when one has a complaint against another. * Rebuild. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 instructs us to continue to “encourage each other and build each other up.” Doing so will allow friendships to be rebuilt.

[1 Peter 4:7-8] “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have a fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” Robert Frost wrote that “good fences make good neighbors.” With Christians, good neighbors make good neighbors. This chapter is pivotal for living a life in Christ! When we become a Christian, we admit that when we lived for “evil human desires,” we made a mess of our life. Now we live for the will of God. This does not mean that He fills us to take control over us (that might be nice if He did!). No, He gives us strength and guidance to “live according to God in the spirit.” Rather than “plunge with the world into the same flood of dissipation,” we remember the cost of purchasing us – God’s Son on the cross – and exert self-control. Being clear minded and self-controlled is love.

Our Great Need for God

 

My generation grew up in a time of advertising jingles and memorable quips to bury the thought of products in the brain to trigger the want-to of buying a product when shopping for goods. I don’t suppose things have changed that much, except for the product and store names. I came across an old tongue in cheek, blast from the past article, using TV commercials to express the importance of God in one’s life. God is like Bayer Aspirin…He works miracles. God is like Ford…He’s got a better idea. God is like Coke…He’s the real thing. God is like Hallmark cards…He cares enough to send His very best. God is like Tide…He gets the stains out that others leave behind. God is like General Electric…He brings good things to life. God is like Sears…He has everything. God is like Alka-Seltzer…Try Him, and you’ll like Him. God is like Scotch Tape…You can’t see Him, but you know He’s there. God is like Allstate…You’re in good hands with Him. God is like VO-5 hairspray…He holds through all kinds of weather. And my favorite: God is like Dial Soap…Aren’t you glad you have Him? Don’t you wish everybody did?

"Random death syndrome" is not a medical term. But the unexplained “crib deaths” of babies, (SIDS) “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome,” and the new phenomena, (SADS) “Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome,” used to describe sudden, unexpected deaths, often in young, seemingly healthy individuals, where taxological exams and a clear structural heart issue isn't found during autopsy, are very real.

Of late, we have read of many well-to-do people who have passed from this life into eternity – some of old age, some of illness, some of accident, and some sudden and unexpectedly. Some were men and women of great power, prosperity, and popularity. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on their funerals, and the masses assembled to pay their last respect. I, on the other hand, attended and preached several funerals where there wasn’t hundreds of thousands of dollars spent, and the service was certainly not a media spectacle. Set by today’s standards, none of them represented powerful, prosperous, or even popular people. They were just ordinary people. Yet, in reality, they left this life the same way as those who were highly celebrated by the world. Whether one be rich or poor, death is the great equalizer. Everyone leaves this life the same way they entered it (Ecclesiastes 5:15-16). Thus, it matters not how much power, prosperity, or popularity one has obtained here on earth. What matters most is where one stands with God.

[John 5:28-29] “Do not be marveled at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

Someone once noted that even if we had… the wisdom of Solomon …the patience of Job …the meekness of Moses …the strength of Samson …the obedience of Abraham …the compassion of Joseph …the tears of Jeremiah …the poetic skill of David …the prophetic voice of Elijah …the courage of Daniel …the greatness of John the Baptizer …and the endurance and love of the apostle Paul, we would still need redemption through Christ’s blood for the forgiveness of sin. We need to realize that we are human, and as such do not have what it takes to sustain ourselves through eternity. We need the power of Christ’s blood shown to us through the Father’s love, as revealed in the Holy Spirit inspired Word.

The abilities and knowledge we have are wonderful and should be used to the glory of God but let us never forget that it is God Himself who sustains us. Let us always remember the great sacrifice it took to purchase our salvation and serve Him in our life accordingly.